In brief
Les Mills, a cornerstone of New Zealand sports and fitness, died at 91. He opened Auckland's first gym in 1968, launched the worldwide Les Mills chain, and competed in shot put and discus at four Olympic Games. After a decade as Auckland mayor, he returned to coaching, guiding athletes like Beatrice Faumuina to world titles. The family praised his lifelong commitment to community and fitness, noting that his spirit fuels workouts worldwide. His achievements earned him national honours including the New Zealand Order of Merit and an MBE.
Celebrated New Zealand fitness champion Les Mills has died at 91.
The 71‑year‑old founder of the Les Mills chain first opened a gymnastics gym in Auckland in 1968 with his wife Colleen. The centre grew into a national network and later an international brand known worldwide for choreographed workouts such as Body Pump and Body Combat.
Mills also represented New Zealand in shot put and discus at four Olympic Games (1964, 1968, 1972, 1976) and earned five Commonwealth Games medals, including gold in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1966.
After a decade in politics, he served three terms as mayor of Auckland City in the 1990s. Returning to the sports world, he coached athletes such as discus thrower Beatrice Faumuina, who won a world title in 1997.
Mills received several honours: Member of the Order of the British Empire (1973) for services to sport and Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (2002) for services to local government and sport.
His son, Phillip Mills, said the father’s “spirit lives on in gym workouts around the world,” adding that “Dad was immensely strong, driven, and always cared deeply for the less advantaged.”
Les Mills’ legacy will continue to inspire, the New Zealand Olympic Committee wrote, citing his enduring contribution to national sporting heritage.
